Reinforced concrete column is a compression member and transfers

the loads from structure to the ground through foundations. There are three
types of concrete columns based on its height and lateral dimension. Long
columns are those whose ratio of height to least lateral dimension is more than
12. When the height to least lateral dimension is less than 3, it is called
a pedestal and if it is between 3 and 12, it is called as a short column.
The load carrying capacity and modes of failure of a reinforced concrete column
is based on the slenderness ratio. Slenderness ratio is the ratio of the
effective length Le and least lateral dimension of the column as per Indian and
British Standards. But as per American Concrete Institute Code of Practice, the
slenderness ratio is defined as the ratio of effective length of column to its
radius of gyration, which is same as used for structural steel design as per IS
Code. Effective length of a column depends on its support conditions at ends.

Based on the slenderness ratio of the column, there are three modes of failure
of reinforced concrete columns. The columns are assumed to be centrally loaded
(no eccentric loads).
Mode 1: Column Failure due to Pure Compression:
When reinforced concrete columns are axially loaded, the reinforcement steel
and concrete experiences stresses. When the loads are high compared to crosssectional area of the column, the steel and concrete reach the yield stress and
column fails without undergoing any lateral deformation. The concrete column is
crushed and collapse of the column is due to the material failure. To overcome
this, the concrete column should have sufficient cross-sectional area, so that the
stress is under the specified limit. This type of failure is generally seen in case
of pedestals whose height to least lateral dimension is less than 3 and does not
experience bending due to axial loads.
Mode 2: Column Failure due to Combined Compression and Failure:
Short columns are commonly subjected to axial loads, lateral loads and
moments. Short columns under the action of lateral loads and moments
undergo lateral deflection and bending. Long columns undergo lateral deflection
and bending even when they are only axially loaded. Under such circumstances
when the stresses in steel and concrete reach their yield stress, material failure
happens and RCC column fails. This type of failure is called combined
compression and bending failure.
Mode 3: Column Failure due to Elastic Instability:
Long columns are very slender, i.e. its effective length to least lateral dimension
is more than 12. Under such condition, the load carrying capacity of reinforced
concrete columns reduces drastically for given cross-sectional area and
percentage of reinforcement steel. When such type of concrete columns are
subjected to even small loads, they tend to become unstable and buckle to any
side. So, the reinforcement steel and concrete in such cases reach their yield
stress even for small loads and fail due to lateral elastic buckling. This type of
failure is unacceptable in practical concrete constructions. Code prevents usage
of such long columns for slenderness ratio greater than 30 (for unbraced
columns) for the use in concretestructures.

Fig: Failure Modes of Concrete Columns For Different Slenderness Ratio